Issue - meetings

Georg Urban (Planning Officer) presented the report and provided an overview of the application, which related to the granting of planning permission for a new fire rescue training and fire simulation training facility, along with an associated welfare building, parking and fencing, in Rugby.

Full details presented to the Committee included the following:

-          The site was currently vacant and had most recently been used as a Highways depot, and prior to that a contractors’ welfare site.

-          The nearest residential properties were to the east at a distance of around 170 metres. The surrounding area consisted of commercial and industrial units, and it was near to the Cemex cement works.

-          The training facility would include a ‘smoke house’; that is, a building that would be filled with fire and smoke to allow firefighters to undertake training operations. There would be an associated filtration unit and extractor pipe, which would treat the smoke to ensure there was no discharge of noxious or harmful substances.

-          The training building would be constructed of decommissioned shipping containers. It would be approximately 12 metres tall and the footprint of the building would be around 21 by 12 metres.

-          A two storey welfare building, which included changing and shower facilities, office space and meeting rooms, a kitchenette and storage and drying rooms, would also be constructed.

-          The submission of a Construction and Environmental Management Plan would be required under a planning condition.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees and there had been no representations made by members of the public. Georg Urban said the National Planning Policy Framework stated there was an presumption in favour of granting planning permission for sustainable development, and the Council’s Development Plan was up to date. The surrounding area was largely industrial in nature and so the application would not be out of keeping.

QUESTIONS

The Chair said the site was close to a busy junction, and asked if there were any proposals to erect signage to say what it would be used for as passing motorists may be alarmed at the sight of large training fires and attempt to call 999. Georg Urban said there were no plans currently for any signage, and the main road would be the only potentially appropriate place for them. The Chair suggested temporary signage when the facility first opened may be appropriate.

Responding to Councillor Ian Shenton, Georg Urban said the filtration unit would ‘clean’ the smoke when it was extracted from the smoke house and before particles were released into the air.

DEBATE

Councillor Chris Mills said the facility was vitally important for the training of firefighters.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Chris Mills and seconded by Councillor Jeff Clarke. A vote was held and the Committee voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.

Resolved

That the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission for the construction of a new fire rescue training centre including a 'hot smoke house' Minerva fire simulation training facility,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4